Pivoting panel assembly

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivoting panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pair of studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the panel adjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes a main body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Each sidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs. Accordingly, the panel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel about a centerline of studs.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a pivoting panel assembly, and moreparticularly to an assembly adapted to rotationally transition a panelbetween a stowed position where a portion of the panel rests on asupport surface and a deployed position where the panel extends from thesupport surface to from a deck.

BACKGROUND

Many utility vehicles, such as those used on golf courses, clay diskshooting ranges, resorts and other applications where the utilityvehicle is used for transporting both people and/or cargo, have cargoenclosures that are convertible to passenger accessory seats. Theseconvertible cargo enclosures are typically constructed of welded metal,e.g. steel or aluminum, include heavy metal hinges and other hardware,and do not provide full sized passenger seats when converted. Suchwelded metal convertible cargo enclosures are heavy, which causesstability and weight distribution problems for the utility vehicles.Additionally, such welded metal convertible cargo enclosures areexpensive, hard to maintain and noisy, have a high part count, can bedented, bent or scratched and will rust and corrode over time.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a convertible vehicle cargoenclosure that will overcome at least the problems of known convertiblecargo enclosures set forth above.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivotingpanel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pairof studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the paneladjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes amain body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewallsextending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Eachsidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideablyand pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs.

With the posts retained within the elongated receptacles, the panel canbe moved from a stowed position to a deployed position by sliding theposts from first ends of the elongated receptacles to second ends of theelongated receptacle while simultaneously pivoting the panel about acenterline of posts.

In the stowed position, the posts are located at the first ends of theelongated receptacles and at least a portion of the panel rests on topof the first deck portion. In the deployed position, the posts arelocated at the second ends of the elongated receptacles and the bottomof the panel mates with an edge of the first deck portion so that thepanel serves as a second deck portion to form a substantially flat deck.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the detaileddescription provided hereinafter. It should be understood that thedetailed description and specific examples, while indicating variousembodiments of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustrationonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is side view of a light-weight utility vehicle including aconvertible cargo bed assembly, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the convertible cargo bed assembly shownin FIG. 1 configured to provide a full-sized rear facing seat, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the convertible cargo bed assemblyconfigured to provide a cargo deck, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the convertible cargo bed assemblyconfigured to provide a cargo deck, in accordance with various otherembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is an isometric illustration of a deck side of a pivoting panelincluded in the cargo bed assembly, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3B is an isometric illustration of a seat side of the pivotingpanel shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of the convertible cargo bedassembly shown in FIG. 1 having the pivoting panel shown in FIG. 3removed, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4A is an isometric illustration of the convertible cargo bedassembly shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with various other embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the convertible cargo bed assembly configuredto provide the cargo deck as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is bottom view of the convertible cargo bed assembly shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used torefer to like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a light-weight utility vehicle 10 including aconvertible cargo bed 12 assembly, in accordance with the variousembodiment of the present disclosure. As described in detail below theconvertible cargo bed 12 is convertible between a cargo deckconfiguration and a rear facing seat configuration that provides afull-sized rear facing seat.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, a convertible cargo bed assembly 12 for autility vehicle is illustrated. The convertible cargo bed assembly 12includes a one-piece main body 14 having a pair of opposing sidewalls 18and a first deck portion 22, all of which are integrally formed withinthe main body 14. The sidewalls 18 extend substantially perpendicularlyfrom the first deck portion 22 and are substantially planarly parallel.That is, the plane of each of the opposing sidewalls 18 is substantially3-dimensionally parallel, i.e., substantially parallel with respect toeach of an X, Y, and Z axis. The main body 14 additionally includes anintegrally formed back side 26 that extends between the sidewalls 18 andsubstantially perpendicularly from the first deck portion 22. The mainbody 14 further includes a pair of integrally formed opposing legs 30that extend downward from each of the sidewalls 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 2, 3A and 3B, the convertible cargo bedassembly 12 still further includes a pivoting panel 34 and a foot rest32. The foot rest 32 is positioned between opposing ends to the legs 30of the main body 14 and can be coupled to a metal undercarriagestructure 94, shown in FIG. 6. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B,the pivoting panel 34 includes a top edge 36 and a pair of opposinghinge posts, or hinge studs, 38 extending from opposing ends 42 adjacenta bottom edge 46. The posts 38 can be either integrally formed with thepivoting panel 34 or coupled to the ends 42 utilizing any suitablecoupling means, for example bolted, screwed or riveted to the ends 42.The pivoting panel 34 additionally includes a cargo deck side 50 adaptedto provide a portion of a cargo deck when the cargo bed assembly 12 isplaced in a cargo deck configuration with the pivoting panel 34 in adeployed position, as shown in FIG. 2.

The pivoting panel further includes a seat side 54 adapted to have atleast one full-sized seat cushion 58 attached thereto to provide atleast one full-sized rear facing seat when the cargo bed assembly 12 isplaced in a rear facing seat configuration with the pivoting panel 34 ina stowed position, as shown in FIG. 1A. As used herein in someembodiments, full-sized seat cushion and full-sized rear facing seatmean a seat cushion and seat that are substantially equal in size as theforward facing driver and passenger seats of the utility vehicle. Forexample, the full-sized seat cushion 58 can be approximately 40 incheswide, 20 inches long and 4 inches thick. Although the seat cushion 58 isillustrated throughout the various figures as a single cushion, the seatcushion 58 can be two or more individual seat cushions that cumulativelyprovide at least one full-sized rear facing seat.

The convertible cargo bed assembly 12 covers a portion of a utilityvehicle body structure 62 and attaches to a metal frame 66, shown anddescribed below in reference to FIG. 6, of a utility vehicle (notshown). In various embodiments the sidewalls 18 function as hiprestraints for preventing a passenger from sliding off the side of theseat cushions 58 and will alternately be referred to herein as hiprestraints 18. In various implementations the main body 14, the pivotingpanel 34, and the foot rest 32 are each single molded structuresconstructed of any suitable plastic or composite, such as linear highdensity polyethylene or glass filled polypropylene.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, in various embodiments, each hiprestraint/sidewall 18 includes an insertion receptacle 70 that can be anaperture through or a recess in the respective sidewall 18. Each of thesidewalls 18 additionally include an elongated receptacle 74 and atransfer channel 78 extending between each insertion receptacle 70 andelongated receptacle 74. The transfer channels 78 are substantiallylinearly parallel within the substantially planarly parallel sidewalls18. Similar to the insertion receptacles 70, the elongated receptacles74 and transfer channels 78 can be apertures through or recesses in thesidewalls 18. The elongated receptacles 74 are adapted to retain theposts 38 of the pivoting panel 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 2. Toretain the posts 38 within the elongated receptacles 74, the pivotingpanel is placed in a canted, or diagonal, orientation between thesidewalls 18. That is, the pivoting panel 34 is oriented between thesidewalls 18 such that one of the posts 38 is positioned within one ofthe insertion receptacles 70 at an end of the insertion receptacle 70closest the back side 26 of the main body 14, while the opposing post 38is positioned within the opposing insertion receptacle 70 at an end ofthe insertion receptacle 70 furthest away from the back side 26.

The pivoting panel 34 is then brought to an orientation wherein thepivoting panel 34 is substantially perpendicular with each sidewall 18,i.e., having a substantially geometrically square relation to thesidewalls 18, such that each post 38 is aligned with the transferchannel 78 of the respective sidewall 18. The pivoting panel 34 is thenmoved downward to transition the posts 38 through the respectivetransfer channels 78 into the respective elongated receptacles 74. Invarious implementations, the insertion receptacles 70 also provide handholds for passengers seated on the rear facing seat when the cargo bedassembly 12 is placed in a rear facing seat configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 4A, in various other embodiments, each hiprestraint/sidewall 18 includes only the hand holds 70 and the elongatedreceptacle 74. To retain the posts 38 within the elongated receptacles74, the pivoting panel is placed in a canted, or diagonal, orientationbetween the sidewalls 18. At least one of the sidewalls 18 is manuallyflexed so that the pivoting panel 34 is oriented between the sidewalls18 having one of the posts 38 positioned within one of the elongatedreceptacle 74 at a first end 130 furthest away from the back side 26,and the opposing post 38 positioned within the opposing elongatedreceptacle 74 at a second end 134 closest to the back side 26. Thepivoting panel 34 is then brought to a substantially square orientationbetween the sidewalls 18.

Once the hinge posts 38 are retained within the elongated receptacles74, the pivoting panel 34 can be transitionally pivoted from thedeployed position to the stowed position, as described further below,wherein the cargo deck side 50 rests on a first deck portion 22 of themain body 14. A first portion of the pivoting panel 34 is supported bythe first deck portion 22 and a second portion of the pivoting panel 34extends past an edge 82, overhanging the first deck portion 22, as bestillustrated in FIG. 1A. The second portion of the pivoting panel 34 issupported by the hinge posts 38 of the pivoting panel 34 extending intoelongated receptacles 74 formed in the sidewalls 18. By extending thesecond portion of the pivoting panel 34 past the first deck portion edge82, the pivoting panel 34 can have dimensions suitable to accommodateand support the full-sized seat cushion 58.

Referring now also to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pivoting panel 34 can betransitionally pivoted from the stowed position to the deployedposition, as described further below, wherein the top edge 36 of thepivoting panel first portion is supported by a support bracket 86coupled to a grab rail 90. The grab rail 90 extends upward from a backedge of the foot rest 32 and is coupled to the metal undercarriagestructure 94 that is coupled to the frame 66. The grab rail 90 isutilized as a handle to provide stability to passengers stepping on thefoot rest 32 to embark and disembark the rear facing seat when the cargobed assembly 12 is in the stowed configuration. In the deployedposition, the pivoting panel second deck portion is supported by thepivoting panel bottom edge 46 resting on a support ledge 96, best shownin FIG. 4, recessed along the edge 82 of the first deck portion 22. Morespecifically, the bottom edge 46 mates with the recessed support ledge96 such that the cargo deck side 50 of the pivoting panel 34 issubstantially coplanar with the surface of the first deck portion 22.Accordingly, when in the deployed position, the pivoting panel 34 servesas a second deck portion to adjoin the first deck portion to form asubstantially flat cargo deck. The recessed support ledge 96 can haveany suitable shape to mate with the pivoting panel bottom edge 46, e.g.curved with a radius or a 90° square cut out.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 2, and 4, the cargo bed assembly 12 includesat least one seat back cushion 98 including a first connector 102.Additionally, the main body back side 26 includes a second connector 106adapted to mate with the first connector 102 such that the seat backcushion(s) 98 can be coupled to and removed from the back side 26 byhand. In various embodiments, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can be coupledto and removed from the back side 26 without the use of tools, such aswrenches, screw drivers, pliers or powered hand tools. In various otherembodiments, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can be coupled to and removedfrom the back side 26 using only a common hand tools such as a hex drivewrench or screw driver.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1A, the first connector 102comprises a first portion of a dove-tail connection and the secondconnector 106 comprises a mating second portion of the dove-tailconnection. Thus, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can be coupled to andremoved from the back side 26 by sliding the first portion of thedove-tail connection into or out of the second portion. In variousembodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the second connector 106 comprises atleast one hole through the back side 26 and the first connectorcomprises a threaded post (shown in phantom), extending from a back sideof the seat cushion 98, and a mating thumb-nut. Thus, the seat backcushion(s) 98 can be coupled to and removed from the back side 26 byinserting the threaded post through the hole(s) in the back side 26 andthreading or unthreading the thumb-nut onto or off of the threaded post.In other implementations, as shown in FIG. 2A, the second connector 106comprises at least one hole through the back side 26 and the firstconnector comprises a female cinch nut molded into the seat back cushion98 and a mating threaded bolt. Thus, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can becoupled to and removed from the back side 26 by inserting the threadedbolt through the hole(s) in the back side 26 and threading orunthreading the bolt into or out of the cinch nut. In other variousembodiments, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can be coupled to the back side26 using any suitable connecting means that allow the seat back cushions98 to be easily and quickly attached to and removed from the back side26. For example, the seat back cushion(s) 98 can be coupled to the backside 26 using snaps, buttons, compression plugs, etc.

In various embodiments, the cargo bed assembly 12 includes a refuseaperture 110 in the first deck portion 22. The refuse aperture 110allows water or debris that may accumulate on the first deck portion 22to drain off of or be removed from the first deck portion 22.Additionally, the refuse aperture 110 provides an access opening thatallows a person to easily grab the pivoting panel top edge 36 to pivotthe pivoting panel 34 about the hinge posts 38 and simultaneouslytransition the hinge posts 38 along the elongated receptacle 74 to movethe pivoting panel 34 from the stowed position to the deployed position.In various embodiments, the cargo bed assembly 12 includes a storagecompartment door 114, best shown in FIG. 1A and 4, that includes a pairof bosses 118. The bosses 118 snap fit into and are rotatable within apair of recesses 122 integrally formed in the foot rest portion 32. Thestorage compartment door 114 provides access to a storage area under themain body 14. Preferably, the bosses 118 include raised nodules orridges (not shown). Additionally, the recesses 122 include complementaryraised nodules or ridges that provide frictional interference with theraised nodules/ridges on the bosses 118 such that the bosses 118 snapinto the recesses 122. The raised nodules/ridges are located on both thebosses 118 and the recesses 122 such that they limit the opening travelof the storage compartment door 114 and also retain the storagecompartment door 114 in a closed position. In some embodiments, thestorage compartment door is a single molded structure.

In some embodiments, the main body 14 attaches to the utility vehicle atthree attachment points. More particularly, the foot rest 32 is coupledto the metal undercarriage structure 94, as shown in FIG. 6, between thebottom of each leg 30 which are also coupled to the metal undercarriagestructure 94. The back side 26 of the main body 14 couples to a crossmember 126, shown in phantom in FIG. 5, that is coupled to each of apair of substantially vertical struts 128. The struts 128 are coupled tothe frame 66 of the utility vehicle, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thestruts 128 can also support structures, such as a canopy over theconvertible cargo bed assembly 12 and/or a front passenger area of theutility vehicle.

In some embodiments, the cross member 126 is a metal structure, such asa piece of angle iron or C-channel, and the main body 14 includes asupport ledge (not shown) that rests on top of the cross member 126. Themain body is coupled to the cross member 126 by bolting the back side 26to the cross member 126. Therefore, support is provided across a largeportion of back side 26, or substantially the entire back side 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, in various embodiments, the pivotingpanel 34, the insertion receptacles/hand holds 70, the transfer channels78 and the elongated receptacles 74 combine to provide a transitionallypivoting panel assembly. To retain the hinge posts 38 within theelongated receptacles 74, the pivoting panel 34 is canted between thesidewalls 18, the hinge posts 38 are inserted into the insertionreceptacles 70 and transitioned through the transfer channels 78 intothe elongated receptacles 74. The insertion receptacles 70 have a heightand width suitable to allow the hinge posts 38 to be inserted when thepanel is canted. The elongated receptacles 74 are sized to retain thehinge posts 38 such that the hinge posts 38 can not be removed from theelongated receptacles 74 without transitioning the hinge posts 38 thoughthe transfer channels 78 into the insertion receptacles 70.Additionally, the elongated receptacles 74 are sized to allow each hingepost 38 to be rotated and simultaneously slidably transitioned between afirst end 130 and a second end 134 of each respective elongatedreceptacle 74.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 4A, in various other embodiments, thetransitionally pivoting panel assembly comprises the pivoting panel 34and only the elongated receptacles 74. To retain the hinge posts 38within the elongated receptacles 74, the pivoting panel 34 is cantedbetween the sidewalls 18, at least one sidewall 26 is flexed to allowthe hinge posts 38 to be inserted into the opposing ends 130 and 134 ofthe elongated receptacles 74 and the pivoting panel 34 is transitionedto a square orientation between the sidewalls 18. The elongatedreceptacles 74 are sized to retain the hinge posts 38 such that thehinge posts 38 can not be easily removed from the elongated receptacles74 without significantly deflecting at least one sidewall 18 while thepivoting panel 34 is canted. The elongated receptacles 74 are also sizedto allow each hinge post 38 to be rotated and simultaneously slidablytransitioned between a first end 130 and a second end 134 of eachrespective elongated receptacle 74.

The transitionally pivoting panel assembly is adapted to place thepivoting panel 34 in the stowed position to provide a full-sized rearfacing seat or in the deployed position where the deck side 50 mateswith the first deck portion 22 to provide a substantially flat cargodeck surface.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the elongated receptacles 74 are furthermoreformed within each respective sidewall 18 such that each elongatedreceptacle 74 is angled to decline from the first end 130 to the secondend 134. The angled elongated receptacles 74 allow the pivoting panelbottom edge 46 to mate with the recessed support ledge 96 of the firstdeck portion 82 when in the deployed position, so that the surface ofthe pivoting panel deck side 50 is substantially coplanar with thesurface of the first deck portion 22. Additionally, when in the stowedposition, the angled elongated receptacles 74 allow the bottom edge 46to be slightly elevated from when the pivoting panel is in the deployedposition so that the first portion of deck side 50 rests substantiallyflat on the first deck portion 22. That is, the surface of the firstdeck portion 22 is substantially planarly parallel and solidly incontact with the surface of the pivoting panel deck side 50.

The pivoting panel 34 is rotationally transitioned between the stowedposition and the deployed position by sliding the pivoting panel hingeposts 38 between the first ends 130 and the second ends 134 of theelongated receptacles 74 while simultaneously rotating the pivotingpanel 34 about a centerline C of the hinge posts 38, shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B. More specifically, when the pivoting panel 34 is in the stowedposition, the hinge posts 38 are located at the first ends 130 of theelongated receptacles 74 and the first portion of the pivoting panel 34rests on top of the first deck portion 22. To rotationally transitionthe pivoting panel 34 from the stowed position to the deployed position,the panel top edge 36 is lifted such that the pivoting panel 34 beginsto rotate about the center line C of the hinge posts 38. The hinge postsare then slid along the elongated receptacles 74 from first ends 130 ofthe elongated receptacles 74 to the second ends 134 of the elongatedreceptacles 74. Simultaneously, the pivoting panel 34 is further rotatedabout the centerline C to thereby flip the pivoting panel 34 over suchthat the pivoting panel 34 is in the deployed position. Accordingly, thebottom edge 46 of the pivoting panel 34 mates with an edge of the firstdeck portion 22 and the pivoting panel 34 extends from the first deckportion 22 to form a substantially flat deck.

Similarly, to rotationally transition the pivoting panel 34 from thedeployed position to the stowed position, the panel top edge 36 islifted such that the pivoting panel 34 begins to rotate about the centerline C of the hinge posts 38. The hinge posts are then slid along theelongated receptacles 74 from second ends 134 to the first ends 130 ofthe elongated receptacles 74. Simultaneously, the pivoting panel 34 isfurther rotated about the centerline C to thereby flip the pivotingpanel 34 over such that the first portion of the pivoting panel 34 restson the first deck portion 22, thereby placing the pivoting panel 34 inthe stowed position.

In some embodiments, the elongated receptacles 74 are sized to allow thehinge posts 38 to be rotated and simultaneously slidably transitionedbetween the first ends 130 to the second ends 134 of the elongatedreceptacles 74 and also allow the hinge posts 38 to be inserted andremoved from the elongated receptacles 74 by canting the pivoting panel34 in the same manner described above with reference to inserting thehinge posts 38 into the insertions receptacles 70.

Although the pivoting panel assembly has been described herein withrespect to a convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle, itshould be understood that the pivoting panel assembly can be employed invarious other applications and remain within the scope of thedisclosure. For example, the pivoting panel assembly could be utilizedto rotationally transition a truck tailgate between a stowed positionand deployed position, or rotationally transition a storage box doorbetween a towed position and deployed position.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described inany way. Additionally, the description herein is merely exemplary innature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of thatwhich is described are intended to be within the scope of thedisclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, while the presentteachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it isnot intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments.On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives,modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skillin the art.

1. (canceled)
 2. A cargo bed pivoting panel assembly comprising: a pairof opposing cargo bed sidewalls, each sidewall including an elongatedreceptacle; and a panel positioned between the opposing sidewalls, thepanel including a pair of opposing posts extending from opposing ends ofthe panel, each post slideably and pivotally retainable within arespective elongated receptacle, wherein the opposing sidewalls aresubstantially planarly parallel and structured to flex slightly to allowinsertion of the opposing posts into the respective elongatedreceptacles when the panel diagonally positioned between the sidewalls.3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the each sidewall further includes afirst receptacle and a transfer channel extending between the firstreceptacle and the respective elongated receptacle.
 4. The assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the opposing sidewalls are substantially planarlyparallel and the first receptacles comprise a height and a lengthadapted to allow the posts to be inserted into the first receptacles tothereby insert the panel between the sidewalls.
 5. The assembly of claim4, wherein transfer channels are substantially linearly parallel withinthe opposing sidewalls, and the transfer channels are adapted to allowthe posts to be slidably moved along the transfer channels from thefirst receptacles to the elongated receptacles.
 6. The assembly of claim5, wherein the elongated receptacles comprise a height and lengthadapted to retain the posts within the elongated receptacles and toallow the posts to be rotatably transitioned between first ends of theelongated receptacle to second ends of the elongated receptacle. 7.(canceled)
 8. A cargo bed transitional pivoting panel assembly, saidassembly comprising: a panel including a pair of studs, each studextending from a corresponding one of opposing ends of the paneladjacent a bottom of the panel; and a main body including a first deckportion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantiallyperpendicular from the first deck portion, each sidewall including anelongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotallyretaining, a respective one of the studs such that the panel can bemoved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding thestuds between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends ofthe elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel abouta centerline of studs, wherein the opposing sidewalls are substantiallyplanarly parallel and structured to flex slightly to allow insertion ofthe opposing posts into the respective elongated receptacles when thepanel is diagonally positioned between the sidewalls.
 9. The assembly ofclaim 8, wherein each sidewall further includes an insertion receptacleand a transfer channel extending between the insertion receptacle andthe elongated receptacle; wherein the insertion receptacles are adaptedto receive the studs to insert the pivoting panel between the sidewalls,the transfer channels are adapted to allow the studs to be slidablymoved from the insertion receptacles to the elongated receptacles, andthe elongated receptacles are adapted to retain the studs such that thepanel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position bysliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles andsecond ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotatingthe panel about a centerline of studs.
 10. The assembly of claim 9,wherein the opposing sidewalls are substantially planarly parallel andthe transfer channels are substantially linearly parallel within theopposing sidewalls.
 11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein each elongatedreceptacle comprises one of an aperture within the respective sidewalland a recess within the respective sidewall.
 12. The assembly of claimof 9, wherein each elongated receptacle is formed within the respectivesidewall to have a linear decline from the first end to the second end.13. The assembly of claim 9, wherein when in the stowed position, atleast a portion of the panel rests on top of the first deck portion. 14.The assembly of claim 9, wherein when in the deployed position, thebottom of the panel mates with an edge of the first deck portion suchthat the panel extends from the first deck portion to form a deck.
 15. Amethod for rotatably transitioning a cargo bed panel from a stowedposition to a deployed position, said method comprising: inserting apair of opposing posts extending from opposing ends of a panel andadjacent a bottom of the panel into a pair of opposing elongatedreceptacles within a pair of opposing cargo bed sidewalls extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from a cargo bed first deck portion byslightly flexing at least one of the sidewalls to allow insertion of theopposing posts into the respective elongated receptacles when the panelis diagonally positioned between the sidewalls such that the panel is ina stowed position with each post located at a first end of eachelongated receptacle and at least a portion of the panel resting on topof the first deck portion; sliding the posts from the first ends of theelongated receptacles to second ends of the elongated receptacle; andsimultaneously rotating the posts about a centerline of the post,thereby flipping the panel over such that the panel is in a deployedposition wherein the bottom mates with an edge of the first deck portionand the panel extends from the first deck portion to form a deck. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein inserting the posts into the elongatedreceptacles comprises: canting the panel between the opposing sidewallsto have an effectively diagonal relation with the opposing sidewalls,slightly flexing at least one of the sidewalls to insert each post intoa respective elongated receptacle; and positioning the panel to have asubstantially geometrically square relation to the sidewalls.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein inserting the posts into the elongatedreceptacles comprises: canting the panel between the opposing sidewallsto have a effectively diagonal relation with the opposing sidewalls,inserting the posts into a pair of opposing insertion receptacles in theopposing sidewalls; positioning the panel to have a substantiallygeometrically square relation to the sidewalls; and sliding the postsfrom the insertion receptacles to the elongated receptacles through apair of opposing transfer channels in the opposing sidewalls thatconnect the insertion receptacles to the elongated receptacles.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein each elongated receptacle is formed withinthe respective sidewall to have a linear decline from the first end tothe second end.